Can Pankaj Tripathi Truly Become Baburao? Inside the Internet’s New Favourite Casting Debate

The 'Hera Pheri' universe has once again found itself in the eye of a nostalgia-fuelled storm. With Paresh Rawal officially out of ‘Hera Pheri 3’, fans of the cult comedy are dealing with a mix of heartbreak and curiosity. The big question is—who can possibly take over the role of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte?

Enter: Pankaj Tripathi.

A viral AI-generated image of Tripathi donning Baburao’s iconic dhoti, vest, and thick-rimmed glasses has sparked major online debate. The caption asked the internet, “Can Pankaj Tripathi play Baburao?” and Reddit did what Reddit does—explode with opinions.

From a marketing psychology lens, this is a classic case of brand substitution. Baburao isn’t just a character; he’s intellectual property. One built not just by lines and costume, but timing, delivery, and an era. Replacing him isn’t just casting—it’s legacy management.

Pankaj Tripathi, known for his nuanced performances in Mirzapur, Stree, and Newton, brings a very different energy. His comedic timing is dry, grounded, and laced with regional realism. That’s a huge shift from Paresh Rawal’s loud, frantic, and hyper-expressive version. So the real question isn’t whether Tripathi can play Baburao—it’s whether audiences are ready for a new Baburao.

Studios, take note: this is a textbook moment for cultural brand repositioning. If you’re going to reboot nostalgia, you better rewrite it smartly. Because fans will either celebrate the evolution—or troll you into oblivion.

Let’s hope Hera Pheri 3 leans into Tripathi’s strengths, rather than force him into a cosplay version of Rawal’s brilliance. Otherwise, it's not Hera Pheri. It's just hera-phiri.